Running press feed



A. F. LEHMANN RUNNING PRESS FEED Dec. 23, 196 9 3 Sheets-Sheec 1 Filed June 28, 1967 FIG. 2

IN VENTOR W N W Wm H l W E 7. A T R E B L Dec. 23, 1969 A. F. LEHMANN RUNNING PRESS FEED 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1967 //V|/EN7'OR ALBERT F. LEHMANN ATTORNEYS Dec. 23. 1969 A. F. LEHMANN 3,485,080

RUNNING PRESS FEED Filed June 28, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 //VVENTO/? ALBERT F. LEHMANN flwmw )ziqzkwel tv AT TOR/V5 Y5 United States Patent 3,485,080 RUNNING PRESS FEED Albert F. Lehmann, Dearborn, Mich. (7800 Dix Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48209) Filed June 28, 1967, Ser. No. 649,580

Int. Cl. B21d 43/02 US. Cl. 72-421 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The press disclosed herein incorporates an output shaft that is commonly known as the shaft extension of the press which rotates in synchronism to the operation of the press. A bracket is fixed to this shaft and provides a slideway in which a slide is mounted. A crank arm is rotatably mounted on the slide and extends to the sheet metal feed rolls or other auxiliary devices that are operated in synchronism with the press. Means are provided for translating the slide along the slideway in order to adjust the stroke length. This means includes power operated means on the crank arm that can be operated during operation of the press. Means are provided for locking the slide in any adjusted position and includes power operated means on the crank arm which can be operated during operation of the press.

This invention relates to presses and particularly to presses that are utilized for stamping sheet metal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In presses that are utilized in stamping sheet metal, it is common to operate the sheet metal feed rolls or other auxiliary devices in synchronism with the press by a power take-off from what is commonly known as a shaft extension which is found at the top of the press. An eccentric arm is usually mounted on the shaft and is reciprocated in synchronism with the operation of the press. conventionally, when it is desired to adjust the extent of movement of the crank arm, it is necessary to stop the press, and in the case of large presses, it is necessary for a worker to utilize the scaffold or ladder and adjust the eccentricity. This obviously results in down time and tedious hand adjusting and testing.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a press wherein adjustment of the eccentric auxiliary drive for feed rolls and the like can be adjusted quickly during operation of the press from an area adjacent the floor without any need for workers to climb scaffolds or interrupt the operation of the press; which structure is relatively safe; and low in cost.

SUMMARY The press disclosed herein incorporates an output shaft that is commonly known as the shaft extension of the press which rotates in synchronism to the operation of the press. A bracket is fixed to this shaft and provides a slideway in which a slide is mounted. A crank arm is rotatably mounted on the slide and extends to the sheet metal feed rolls or other auxiliary devices that are operated in synchronism with the press. Means are provided for translating the slide along the slideway in order to adjust the stroke length. This means includes power operated means on the crank arm that can be operated during operation of the press. Means are provided for locking the slide in any adjusted position and includes power operated means on the crank arm which can be operated during operation of the press.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partly diagrammatic perspective view of a press embodying the invention.

3,485,080 Patented Dec. 23, 1969 ice FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the press shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the press shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 44 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, press 10 is of conventional construction and includes a fixed platen 11 and a movable platen 12 that is reciprocated toward the fixed platen 11 in timed relationship to the feeding of sheet metal to the press. Such a press is well known and includes an output shaft 13 on the upper end thereof which is commonly known as the shaft extension on which shaft 13 is rotated in timed relationship to the movement of the movable platen 12. It is conventional to have a power take-off operated by the shaft 13 for operating the feed rolls for feeding the sheet metal or for operating other auxiliary devices.

In accordance with the invention a plate 14 is fixed on the shaft 13 and supports a bracket 16. The bracket 16 defines a slideway 17 (FIG. 4) in which a slide 18 can be moved.

A crank arm 20 is rotatably mounted on the slide 18 by bearings 21. A crank rod 22 is fixed to the crank arm by a pin 23. The lower end of the crank arm is formed with a rack 24 that operates a pinion 25 which, in turn, is connected by mechanism (not shown) to the feed rolls for feeding sheet metal to the press. By moving the slide 18 along the slideway 17, the eccentricity of the axis of rotation of the crank arm 20 with respect to the axis of the shaft 13 can be varied to thereby vary the length of the stroke of movement of the crank rod 22.

As shown in FIG. 5, a lead screw 25 is mounted in the bracket 16 in fixed relation thereto by means of a nut 26. A worm nut 27 is threaded on the lead screw 25 and journalled within the slide 18 by thrust bearings 28, 29 and a retainer plate 30. The periphery of the worm nut 27 is formed with teeth that are meshed with a worm gear 31 that forms a part of a member 32 which is journalled in the slide 18 with its axis at a right angle to the axis of the slideway 17. By rotating the member 32, the position of the slide 18 along the lead screw and, in turn, along the slideway 17 can be adjusted. Member 32 is locked to slide 18 by a retainer pin 32' that extends into an opening therein. Retainer pin 32 is supported by a locking ring 32a which is fastened to rod 52.

A bevel gear 33 is mounted on the end of the member 32 opposite the worm gear 31 and is retained thereon by a collar 34. Bevel gear 33 meshes with a bevel pinion 35 which is fixed to the shaft 36 that, in turn, is rotatably mounted by bearings in an extension 37. The extension 37 is fixed in a housing 38 mounted on the crank arm 20. A rotary fluid motor 39 is mounted on the extension 37 and has its shaft 40 keyed to a collar 41v that is, in turn, keyed to the shaft 36 so that when fluid is sup plied to the motor 39, the bevel gears 35, 33 are rotated and, in turn, rotate the worm gear 31, worm gear nut 27 to translate the slide 18 along the slideway 17 Means are provided for locking the slide in any adjusted position and includes wedge blocks 45 which are yieldingly urged transversely inwardly by springs 46 interposed in slots in the blocks 45 and abutting against fixed stop 47. Each wedge block 45 includes a surface 48 that contacts a complementary surface 49 on the bracket 16 as well as a surface 50 that contacts the complementary surface 51 on the slide 18. Springs 46 yieldingly urge blocks 45 into camming or locking relation with respect 3 to the bracket 16 and slide 18 to hold the slide in position.

In order to release the blocks 45 and thereby permit adjustment of the slide, a rod 52 is mounted within the member 32 and concentrically therewith, One end of the rod is adapted to engage a ball 53 that, in turn, contacts inclined inner ends 54 on the wedge blocks 45. The other end 55 of rod 52 is axially fixed to a piston 56 by a threaded retainer pin 57 on which a nut is threaded. A thrust bearing 57 is interposed between the end 55 of the rod 52 and piston 56. A spring 52 is interposed between the member 32 and the enlarged end 55 of the rod 52. Piston 56 operates within an integral cylinder 57 on the end of housing 38. A diaphragm 53 forms the piston seal. When fluid is supplied through an inlet 59 to the end of the piston 56, the piston shaft 55 is caused to engage the rod 52 and move the ball 53 in a manner to disengage the locking relationship of the wedge blocks 45 with the bracket 16 and slide 18 and thereby permit movement of the slide 18 along the slideway 17 by actuating motor 39.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid lines for controlling the motor 39 and linear motor 57 extend to valves 60, shown diagrammatically, which are positioned adjacent the floor in the area Where they are readily accessible to the operator without the use of scaffolding, ladders or similar devices.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a means for effectively adjusting the length of the stroke of the rod 22 quickly and easily both during the operation of the press or when the press is stopped; which is compact, safe and simple in operation and can be added to a conventional press at low cost.

I claim:

1. In a cyclically operated press, the combination comprising an output shaft operated in synchronism with the operation of said press,

a bracket mounted for rotation with said shaft,

said bracket having a slideway,

a slide in said slideway,

a crank arm rotatably mounted on said slide,

means for translating said slide along said slideway,

power operated means on said crank and operable to operate said translating means,

means for locking said slide in position along said slideand power operated means on said crank arm for actuating said locking means.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 including means along said press adjacent the floor on which said press is mounted for actuating said power operated means for operating said translating means and said power operated means for actuating said locking means.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for translating said slide comprises a member rotatably mounted in said slide about the center of said crank arm,

and means on said bracket interacting with said member so that upon rotation of said member, said slide is translated along said bracket.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a lead screw fixed on said bracket,

a worm gear nut journalled in said slide and threaded on said lead screw,

said member which is rotatably mounted in said slide having a worm gear fixed thereon and engaging said Worm gear nut.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said power operated means for actuating said translating means comprises a fluid operated motor fixed on said crank arm.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4 including a erated means for actuating said locking means tomove said wedge member out of locking engage ment with said bracket and said slide.

8. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of wedge members,

spring means individual to each said wedge member yieldingly urging said wedge member inwardly toward the center of said slideway,

each said wedge member having surfaces adapted to engage surfaces on said bracket and slideway and operable to lock said slideway in position,

a member movable generally normal to said slide and adapted to move said wedge members outwardly against said spring means to disengage said wedge members from locking position.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said power operated member comprises a linear fluid motor on said crank arm operable to operate said last-mentioned member.

10. In a cyclically operated press, the combination comprising an output shaft operated in synchronism with the op eration of said press,

a bracket mounted for rotation with said shaft,

said bracket having a slideway,

a slide in said slideway,

a crank arm rotatably mounted on said slide,

means for translating said slide along said slidepower operated means on said crank and operable to operate said translating means,

means for locking said slide in position along said slide:

and power operated means on said crank arm for actuating said locking means,

means along said press adjacent the floor on which said press is mounted for actuating said power operated means for operating said translating means and said power operated means for actuating said locking means,

said means for translating said slide comprising a member rotatably mounted in said slide about the center of said crank arm,

a lead screw fixed on said bracket, 7

a worm gear nut journalled in said slide and threaded on said lead screw,

said member which is rotatably mounted in said slide having a worm gear fixed thereon and engaging said worm gear nut,

said power unit on said crank arm being operatively connected to said bevel pinion I for rotating said pinion,

said power operated means for actuating said translating means comprises a fluid operated motor fixed on said crank arm,

a bevel gear fixed on said member rotatably mounted in said slide,

a bevel pinion meshing with said bevel gear.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of wedge members,

spring means individual to each said wedge member yieldingly urging said wedge member inwardly toward the center of said slideway,

each of said wedge member having surfaces adapted to engage surfaces on said bracket and slideway and operable to lock said slideway in position,

a member movable generally normal to said slide and adapted to move said wedge members outwardly against said spring means to disengage said wedge members from locking position,

said power operated member comprising a linear fluid motor on said crank arm operable to operate said last-mentioned member.

12. For use in a cyclically operated press comprising an output shaft operated in synchronism with the operation of said press, the combination comprising a bracket adapted to be mounted for rotation with said shaft,

said bracket having a slideway,

a slide in said slideway,

a crank arm rotatably mounted on said slide,

means for translating said slide along said slideway,

power operated means on said crank and operable to operate said translating means,

means for locking said slide in position along said slideway,

and power operated means on said crank arm for actuating said locking means.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12. wherein said means for translating said slide comprises a member rotatably mounted in said slide about the center of said crank arm,

and means on said bracket interacting with saidmemher so that upon rotation of said member, said slide is translated along said bracket.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a lead screw fixed on said bracket,

a worm gear nut journalled in said slide and threaded on said lead screw,

said member which is rotatably mounted in said slide having a worm gear fixed thereon and engaging said Worm gear nut.

15. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein said power qpera'ted means for actuating said translating means comprises a fluid operated motor fixed on said crank arm.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 including a bevel gear fixed on said member rotatably mounted in said slide,

a bevel pinion meshing with said bevel gear,

and said power unit on said crank arm operatively connected to said bevel pinion for rotating said pinion.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said means for locking said slide comprises a wedge member, spring means yieldingly urging said wedge member into engagement with portions of said bracket and said slide and thereby locking said slide relative to said bracket,

and an actuating member operable by said power operated means for actuating said locking means to move said wedge member out of locking engagement with said bracket and said slide.

18. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said locking means comprises a pair of wedge members,

spring means individual to each said wedge member yieldingly urging said wedge member inwardly toward the center of said slideway,

each said wedge member having surfaces adapted to engage surfaces on said bracket and slideway and operable to lock said slideway in position,

a member movable generally normal to said slide and adapted to move said wedge members outwardly against said spring means to disengage said wedge members from locking position.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said power operated member comprises a linear fluid motor on said crank arm operable to operate said last-mentioned member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,216,277 11/1965 Groll 7460O 3,242,768 3/1966 Munschauer 74-600 3,359,825 12./1967 Wiig 74--60O RONALD D. GREFE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

